And she did not mind his knowing. It would make him understand all that was to follow.... How strange that, after all her passionate, wild dreams, friendship and not love should be what life had to give her!
As Amaldi came towards her through the firelight, she thought that his face looked set and rather strange. She said as she gave him her hand:
"I sent for you because I didn't want to write 'good-by.' It may be a long time before we see each other again."
"May I know how long?" he asked, in a low voice.
"I don't know that myself," she answered. "Perhaps a year ... perhaps longer. It ... it depends. But ... afterwards, I shall be in England with Bobby."
"Ah!" said Amaldi.
They stood silent, looking into the fire. Then he said abruptly:
"May I write to you?"
"Of course, Amaldi." Her lip quivered suddenly. She added in a rather uncertain voice:
"I haven't so many real friends that I could be indifferent about hearing from one of them."